Wants grace banned (Norway)

www.aftenposten.no ^ | 17 Nov 2005, 11:23 | (Aftenposten Web Desks)

[Kurt_Hectic]

Minister of Knowledge Øystein Djupedal wants schools to stop saying grace at meals.

"Norwegian schools shall not be preachy. They shall be all-embracing. Grace is not consistent with how Norwegian schools should be," Djupedal told newspaper VG.

According to VG saying grace at meals is still a common practice in schools across Norway. Djupedal wants an end to simple verses like: "O du som metter liten fugl, velsign vor mat, o Gud. Amen" (Oh you who satisfy small birds, bless our food, Oh Lord. Amen).

Djupedal made it clear that he wants an end to all types of rituals that can be seen as preaching and expects schools to fall in line.

The Directorate for Primary and Secondary Education supports the initiative.

"Grace in schools is not desirable. If a class nevertheless wishes to sing a religious verse at meals it must be in agreement with parents," said Kristine Strømmen, communication adviser at the DPSE.

[Kurt_Hectic]

I liked that verse when I was in school, but it sounds lame in english! That minister is from the norwegian socialistic leftist-party and he hates all that is american and christian. I wonder if this has something to do with the hordes of new countrymen in the norwegian schools today?

[rogue yam]

Oh you who satisfy small birds, bless our food

So is there a different grace that one says if one is eating, say, Cornish game hens?

[Ken522]

I don't remember ever saying grace at school-provided meals here in the USA ... must be a cultural thing ...

[sgtbono2002]

It seems the whole world is against God.

One day we will pay dearly.

[clee1]

Good food, good meat, Good God let's eat!

Father, Son, Holy Ghost... Whoever's quickest gets the most!

[rogue yam]

One day we will pay dearly.

I believe that one day God will redeem us, so long as we do not forsake him.

[HiTech RedNeck]

"O Thou Who satisfiest even the small birds..." would probably lend it the solemnity of language you are looking for. (No I am not a KJV nut)

[Vaquero]

reminds me of what the wags would say in my religious parochial school cafeteria, when the nuns weren't looking

"rub a dub dub...thanks for the grub....yeaaaaaaaa God"

sorry.

[Kurt_Hectic]

I see the paradox, but the message of the verse is that God provides food of both man and little birds...

[rogue yam]

God provides food of both man and little birds...

In reverse order! Yum, yum... and thank you Jesus!

[Kurt_Hectic]

LOL that was f u n n y... thanks...

[clee1]

Those that have faith will one day sit in Heaven; those that DON'T will pay dearly.

[whershey]

"Grace in schools is not desirable. If a class nevertheless wishes to sing a religious verse at meals it must be in agreement with parents," said Kristine Strømmen, communication adviser at the DPSE."

Well their actually a lot more liberal on this policy the we are.

[Sender]

It's an individual, personal thing. Just keep saying grace.

[Max in Utah]

I see the paradox, but the message of the verse is that God provides food of both man and little birds...

As in:

See the birds of heaven; they do not put seeds in the earth, they do not get in grain, or put it in store-houses; and your Father in heaven gives them food. Are you not of much more value than they? --Matthew 6:26(BBE)

[tioga]

I say grace in restaurants....wherever I am. AND I make the sign of the cross. No one has ever complained or been rude. I occasionally notice others saying grace before their meals. It makes me smile.

[Kurt_Hectic]

It's a beautyful thing to do... I don't say grace anymore, but my mothers aunt does, and when she is at my parents house for sunday dinner we all wait for her to say grace, except my father, who always forgets and starts to chow down in a loudly manner as the only one at the table. It's hillarious..

[fieldmarshaldj]

We already are paying for it.

[macamadamia]

Norwegian schools shall not be preachy. They shall be all-embracing.


But......how is a prayer like, "Oh you who satisfy small birds, bless our food, Oh Lord. Amen" NOT all-embracing? It seems to be in congruity with the three major religions. I don't even understand how it might offend, say, a Buddhist. And honestly I think it is a beautiful little verse, profound, humble and concise.

I think the real truth here is that it is the admission of God that offends this apparatchik Minister of Knowledge.

[mollynme]

Is that what those words mean? We sing them after saying grace whenever my Norwegian family comes to visit. I learned them by rote but didn't know the exact meaning. LOL